Dementia Awareness Day at Berryhill Village

6th December, 2011

Staff and resident volunteers at Berryhill Village in
Stoke-on-Trent have spent the day educating others about
dementia.

Led by ExtraCare's Locksmith® Amanda Gallacher, who runs the
Enriched Opportunities Programme® and works with residents who live
with dementia, the group sat in the village street and gave out
information on early diagnosis and support. They also had samples
of food rich in B vitamins such as bananas and cheese, which have
been shown to lessen people's chances of developing the
condition.

They also sold Alzheimer's Society badges and pens to raise
money for the charity, and encouraged passers-by to purchase quiz
books to keep their minds active.

Residents Lily Wall and Lila Hughes were both keen to raise
money as, between them, they have raised thousands in the past four
years for the Alzheimer's Society, Help for Heroes and the Poppy
Appeal. Lila, who turns 99 this month, said she feels good when she
raises money.

Lily explained that they do it for causes that are important to
them. "I don't have any experience with dementia myself, but you
never know what might happen, do you?" she said. "I want to raise
as much as possible because we could be gone soon."

All of the residents who helped Amanda on the day regularly
volunteer with her, and she said they are essential for her work
with the 55 residents at Berryhill Village who live with dementia.
"I couldn't do without my volunteers," she said. "When I started
here, I put a poster up and they all signed up very quickly. They
help with all of my activities and even do them without me when I'm
away, they're great."

Volunteer Maureen Finney is not a resident, but has had
experience of dementia in her family. "I think even living
somewhere like here, people can still need help," she said.
"Sometimes all they need is someone to talk to and that can make
all the difference. There's a lot of naivety about dementia and
people do need to be educated."

Former nurse and resident Pauline Wilkinson agrees. Despite
using crutches, she regularly helps other residents, especially
those who have dementia. "I don't know everyone living in the
village here, but I always stop and say hello to people as I pass
them," she said. "We never had anything like this awareness day
before Amanda came here four years ago, and it's really good."